Earrings!!!

This lovely lady kicked off her 5th birthday celebration a day early with a trip to Claires.

Ready and waiting:

   

Right after...no tears!  Just a seriously sad "ouch!" and a look at me like what have you done to me???

And a few minutes later with a birthday treat at Starbucks:

I caught her looking in the mirror that night and I asked if she felt different and she said, "not different, just more sparkley!"

Fall!

 One of the best things about my little people?  They LOVE to hang out together.  I'm always catching them talking and scheming and up to something. 

So this shot reminded my of one from 5 years ago:

In my defense, this was the day before I had Jemma!  Look at my babies!

Fall Carnival!

Halloween tends to be chilly here in Idaho so the kids love the Fall Carnival--the awesome costumes aren't hidden by snowpants!

 Cousins!

 The big kids played games and ran wild with their friends.  Henry hung tight and ate.

And ate.

A Greek goddess and her god.  And a pirate and his gypsy.

And, as always, we trick or treat after at the Casebolt, Sr.'s for the most fantastic spread of candy, cookies, carameled apples, glow sticks and toothbrushes!

The candyfest begins.

Cinderella.

Happy Birthday sweet Jemma Jane!

This girl is a joy.

She is funny and sparkly, and so kind to Henry.  She is brave and bright, and a daddy's girl.

The other night she prayed for the kids and missed Henry and when she was done, he said, "hey, you forgot Henry!"  And we all smiled and went on with dinner but she was quiet for a few minutes and then said, "can I pray again?"  And she prayed for a little boy who grinned so big and held her hand under the table.

She is a blessing in so many ways but her big heart is my favorite.

Happy Birthday baby girl.

The Driskill version of the Quiet Game:

Jemma says, "on guh-marks, get set, go!"
We drive 1/2 a block and Henry hollers, "Woot, Woot...Jemma's having a party!"
Someone snorts.
Someone else giggles.
Ava says, "winner, winner chicken dinner!"

Sometimes it's best just to call it a day.

Today

Ava and I saw a weird looking car and she says, "whoa--is that what cars looked like when you were little??"

Fall!

 We headed to the lake today for one last fall cruise and it.was.gorgeous.

I had a glass of wine in one hand, hot chocolate in the other, and a pumpkin muffin in my mouth. Honestly, does it get any better than this?

Jack's idea of decorating for fall...

big daddy and his girls.

sisters.

Ava heading to a birthday party...grown-up and gorgeous.

Jemma heading to a birthday party...small and sweet.

found this on the chalkboard the other morning:

My Jack.

His heart is so crazy big and bright.

Wallowas!

We had a fantastic time at the Wallowas this year so imagine my surprise to find only a few pictures to prove it.  

 

 They're growing up!!

 We can always count on Grandpa to bring the ice cream.

 The only two seconds we were all together.

Watching someone's sock float away.

 Jemma's finally old enough to be a part of the annual art show!

Good food, great weather, cousins galore.  And everyone is growing up....the boys are gone as soon as the sun comes out, the girls now go shopping with us, I read a whole book, and none of us can stay awake past 10:30 anymore....at least we're getting old together!

my littlest peeps, doing what they do

giggling, snuggling, looking for trouble.

us.